Updated

Ajax cruised to a 3-0 victory over Venlo at De Koel on Sunday to move into second place in the Eredivisie.

In what turned out to be a commanding performance from the Amsterdam club, Frank de Boer's side broke the deadlock in the 34th minute with Siem De Jong notching his ninth goal of the campaign.

Ajax doubled its lead just after the hour mark through Viktor Fischer before Derk Boerrigter wrapped up the affair nine minutes from time.

Venlo has lost four straight in Eredivisie action to remain second from bottom on 15 points.

Ajax, meanwhile, remains three points back of first-place PSV Eindhoven by improving 43 points. The club jumps ahead of Twente, which drops to third place following its 4-2 loss to Utrecht at De Grolsch Veste on Sunday.

Twente was reduced to 10 men just before the halftime interval, and while Dusan Tadic netted a brace for the home side, Utrecht cruised to victory behind goals from Jens Toornstra, Jacob Mulenga, Davy Bulthuis and Mike van der Hoorn.

Also on Sunday, Tonny Vilhena scored twice to help Feyenoord earn a 3-1 victory over Willem II and Ruud Boymans grabbed the winner 16 minutes from time in NEC's 2-1 defeat of Vitesse.